Window choices when living way up high

Totally agree on fiberglass being a solid upgrade from aluminum. Aluminum frames are notorious for thermal bridging - basically, they transfer heat way too easily, making your heating bills spike. Fiberglass, on the other hand, has a much lower thermal conductivity and expands/contracts at nearly the same rate as glass, meaning fewer seal failures and drafts over time. Plus, if you're living high up, wind pressure can amplify those drafts, so fiberglass or even vinyl frames can really help keep things cozy.

Good points - fiberglass is definitely a step up. Couple extra thoughts:
- Vinyl frames can be decent too, but watch out if your place gets tons of direct sunlight; vinyl tends to warp or discolor over time.
- Also, triple-pane glass is worth considering for higher floors... cuts down noise and drafts even more.

Fiberglass frames do hold up really well, especially if you're dealing with intense sun. Had vinyl in my last place and while it started off fine, after a few years the south-facing windows definitely showed their age - yellowed frames and a bit of warping. Triple-pane is nice too, but honestly, unless noise is a big concern, good-quality double-pane windows with proper seals can handle drafts pretty well. Might save you some cash without sacrificing comfort.

Totally agree about fiberglass - I've had mine for almost a decade now, and they're still looking pretty good despite constant sun exposure. Vinyl definitely has its limits, especially in harsh climates. Also second your thoughts on triple-pane windows. I installed double-panes with solid seals years ago, and drafts haven't been an issue at all... saved me a decent chunk of change too. Sounds like you're making smart choices!

Interesting points about fiberglass. I've had vinyl windows for about 12 years now, and while they're holding up okay, I do notice some fading and minor warping on the south-facing side - nothing major yet, but it's there. Curious though, did you find the triple-pane noticeably quieter than double-pane? I've heard mixed things about noise reduction benefits versus cost. Wondering if it's worth the upgrade next time around...

"Curious though, did you find the triple-pane noticeably quieter than double-pane?"

I swapped out double-pane for triple-pane about 5 years ago, mainly for efficiency reasons. Honestly, noise reduction was subtle - traffic sounds slightly muffled, but nothing dramatic. If quiet's your main goal, better sealing and insulation might do more bang-for-buck...

Interesting take...but honestly, I'd say triple-pane can make a bigger difference than you might think. Sure, sealing and insulation help, but glass thickness and the extra air gap between panes can really cut down certain frequencies - especially higher-pitched noises like sirens or street chatter. I installed triple-pane windows in a customer's high-rise condo last year, and she swore it was night-and-day quieter compared to her old double-pane setup. Maybe it depends on your specific environment though? Like, if you're already pretty insulated from street-level noise (being way up high), the difference might feel subtle. But if you're dealing with wind noise or nearby HVAC units humming away outside your window, triple-pane could be a game changer. Just my two cents...

"Maybe it depends on your specific environment though?"

Yeah, that's exactly what I've noticed too. Triple-pane can definitely help with high-frequency noises, but I've found that in some high-rise situations, structural vibrations from elevators or mechanical rooms can be just as annoying. Have you tried pairing triple-pane windows with laminated glass? The combo seems to tackle both airborne and structure-borne noise pretty effectively...might be worth considering depending on what's causing the most disturbance in your specific building.

I've noticed the laminated glass combo helps too, especially if you're dealing with lower-frequency vibrations. A couple years back, I was helping my brother renovate his condo on the 23rd floor, and he had this constant low hum from the building's HVAC units on the roof. Triple-pane alone didn't quite cut it - still had that subtle drone at night - but once we added laminated panes into the mix, it made a noticeable difference. Not perfect, mind you, but enough to finally get some decent sleep.

One thing to keep in mind though: sometimes noise travels through structural elements like floors or walls rather than windows. In my brother's case, we ended up also adding some acoustic insulation behind drywall in the bedroom. It was a bit of extra work (and cost), but honestly worth it for peace of mind. Just something else to consider if window upgrades alone aren't fully solving your issue...

Good points about laminated glass. Had a similar issue when we moved into our 18th-floor place a couple years ago:

- Triple-pane windows helped with street noise but didn't do much for that annoying elevator hum.
- Eventually added laminated panes, noticeable improvement but still could feel a faint vibration at night.
- Ended up isolating the bed frame from the floor with rubber pads - surprisingly effective for structural vibrations.

Just another angle to consider if windows alone aren't fully cutting it...

"Ended up isolating the bed frame from the floor with rubber pads - surprisingly effective for structural vibrations."

That's a smart move. Structural vibrations can be tricky because they're transmitted through the building itself, not just the air. I've seen similar issues in high-rise condos where even premium windows don't fully solve the vibration problem - especially from elevators or HVAC units. Laminated glass definitely helps with airborne noise, but like you found out, it's not always enough for structural hums.

Another thing I've recommended to clients is adding thick area rugs or carpet padding in bedrooms and living areas. It doesn't eliminate vibrations completely, but it can dampen them noticeably. Also, placing heavy furniture strategically can sometimes help absorb or redirect some of that energy.

Sounds like you've already got a handle on it though... sometimes it's just about experimenting until you find what works best for your specific situation.

Good call on the rubber pads - I did something similar with my couch legs and it made a noticeable difference. Still feel a bit of vibration sometimes, but way less annoying now. Small tweaks can really pay off.

Rubber pads definitely help, but if you're still feeling vibrations, you might wanna check out your window seals too. I had a similar issue in my old apartment - high-rise living is great for views but not always for peace and quiet. Turns out, upgrading to thicker curtains and adding weather stripping around the windows made a huge difference. It wasn't even that expensive or complicated, just took an afternoon of DIY work.

Honestly, it's surprising how much small adjustments can improve comfort levels. You're already on the right track with the furniture pads, so tweaking your windows might be the next logical step. Worth a shot if you're still noticing vibrations or noise creeping in from outside...

Good call on the weather stripping - I did something similar last year and it really cut down on drafts and noise. Didn't realize how much energy I was losing through those tiny gaps until I sealed them up. Plus, my heating bills dropped noticeably, which was a nice bonus. Definitely worth the afternoon spent fiddling around with window seals and curtains... small changes can really add up to big comfort improvements.

Yeah, sealing up those gaps makes a huge difference. Had a similar experience when I swapped out my old single-pane windows for double-glazed ones. Didn't expect such a noticeable drop in street noise... felt like I'd moved to a quieter neighborhood overnight. Totally worth the hassle.

Double-glazed windows definitely help with noise, but honestly, if you're living way up high, street noise might not be your biggest issue. Wind pressure and drafts can be a bigger headache at higher floors. I found that triple-glazing made a noticeable difference in comfort and energy bills, even though it was pricier upfront. Might be worth considering if you're already going through the hassle of replacing windows...

Yeah, triple-glazing can be a game changer up high. I remember staying at a friend's apartment on the 20-something floor during winter - felt like the wind was trying to break in and steal snacks from the pantry, lol. They upgraded to triple-glazed windows eventually, and it was night and day. Definitely pricier upfront, but if you're already swapping windows out anyway, might as well go all-in for comfort (and snack security).

"felt like the wind was trying to break in and steal snacks from the pantry, lol."

Haha, that snack-stealing wind imagery is spot-on. Reminds me of when I first moved into my current place - it's on the 18th floor, and the windows were ancient single-pane glass. The first winter was brutal. I swear, I could feel the cold air sneaking in through every tiny gap, and the curtains would flutter even when the windows were shut tight. It was like living in a tent up there.

I debated triple-glazing too, but ended up going with double-glazed windows with a low-E coating instead. Mostly because the price difference was pretty significant at the time, and I wasn't sure if triple-glazing would really make that much more of a difference. Honestly, the double-glazing upgrade alone was a huge improvement - no more drafts, way quieter, and my heating bills dropped noticeably. But now, reading your friend's experience, I'm kinda wondering if I should've just bitten the bullet and gone triple.

One thing I've always wondered though - is triple-glazing noticeably heavier? I remember the installers mentioning something about weight limits or structural considerations for older buildings. Not sure if that's just installer talk or a legit concern. My building isn't exactly new, so I was a bit cautious about adding extra weight to the frames.

Either way, totally agree that if you're already replacing windows, it's worth investing in something energy-efficient. The upfront cost stings a bit, but the comfort factor alone makes it worthwhile. Plus, fewer drafts mean fewer midnight snack raids to warm up... or maybe that's just me.

I totally relate to the snack-stealing wind thing, haha. My old apartment was on the 12th floor, and the windows were so drafty I swear I could've flown a kite indoors some days. Upgrading to double-glazing was honestly one of the best decisions I've made for comfort and sanity.

A couple quick thoughts from my experience:

- Triple glazing definitely weighs more. When I was researching, several installers mentioned structural concerns too, especially in older buildings. It's not just installer talk - there's legit reasoning behind it. Older frames and walls weren't always built with that extra weight in mind, so it's worth checking out carefully before committing.

- Double-glazed windows with low-E coating have been fantastic for me as well. Like you said, huge improvement in warmth and noise reduction without completely breaking the bank. I think triple glazing is great if you're somewhere extremely cold or noisy, but otherwise double glazing hits a nice sweet spot between cost and performance.

- Also, don't underestimate good curtains or blinds! Even after upgrading my windows, adding thick thermal curtains made a noticeable difference during winter nights. Plus, they help block out city lights if you're sensitive to that kind of thing.

Either way, sounds like you made a solid choice already. And hey, fewer midnight snack raids are always a bonus... though let's be honest, sometimes snacks just call your name regardless of drafts or temperature.

Totally agree on the curtains thing - made a huge difference for me too. I went with double glazing (triple seemed like overkill for my area), but honestly, the biggest surprise was how much quieter it got. Didn't even realize how noisy my street was until it wasn't anymore... now if only curtains could stop me from raiding the fridge at 2am, I'd be set.